The work of Christ in cleansing the leper illustrates His work in cleansing the life from sin. The man who came to Jesus was “full of leprosy.” The disciples tried to prevent their Master from touching him. But in laying His hand on the leper, Jesus received no defilement. His touch conveyed life-giving power. HH 117.2
It is the same with the leprosy of sin—deadly, impossible for human power to cleanse. “From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it, but wounds and bruises and putrefying sores.” Isaiah 1:6. But Jesus has healing virtue. Whoever will fall at His feet, saying in faith, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean,” will hear the answer, “I am willing; be cleansed.” HH 117.3
In some cases of healing, Jesus did not immediately grant the blessing. In the case of the leper, though, as soon as the sick man appealed for help, Jesus granted it. When we pray for earthly blessings, the answer may be delayed, or God may give us something other than what we ask for. But not so when we ask for deliverance from sin. It is His will to cleanse us, make us His children, and enable us to live a holy life. Christ “gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.” Galatians 1:4. “If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of him.” 1 John 5:14, 15, NRSV. HH 117.4
In healing the paralyzed man at Capernaum, Christ again taught the same truth. He performed the miracle to show His power to forgive sins. Like the leper, this paralytic had lost all hope. His disease was the result of a life of sin, and remorse made his sufferings all the more bitter. He had appealed to the Pharisees and doctors, but they coldly pronounced him incurable and gave him up to the wrath of God. HH 117.5
Seeing no prospect of aid from anywhere, the paralyzed man had sunk into despair. Then he heard of Jesus. Friends encouraged him to believe that he too might be cured if he could be carried to Jesus. HH 117.6